Lying in Jessica's bed, Nick breathed in her scent. The pillows and sheets smelt of her simple perfume; his own skin was coated in the fragrance of her kisses and soft skin that had only minutes earlier covered his own. Reluctantly Jess had arisen when she heard her father getting up. Thank God he was leaving today, thought Nick. As she had left the room to say goodbye to her dad and get showered, Nick had hidden under the covers, not ready to face the scorn of Bob Day again so soon after he had crushed him with his frank analysis of Nick's shortcomings.

As he lay back on her soft pillows – he'd missed that about having a girlfriend - he had his first chance to reflect on the events of the past few days. His feelings had undergone a roller coaster of change. Their first night together had been pure bliss: although he had thought about what it would like to be with Jess many times, the expectation could in no way compare to the reality. She was so amazing, sweet, caring, intelligent … But also quirky, unique and just damn likeable. And sexy as hell. He still couldn't believe she actually wanted him. He could never have guessed that when he kissed her in the loft hallway all those months ago that this would be the outcome. The arrival of Jess's dad had definitely thrown a pail of damp reality on the situation as he made no qualms about telling Nick he was not good enough for his daughter. Even thinking about it made the cold nugget of doubt and fear in his belly tighten and squirm. But, for whatever reason, it seemed she still wanted to try. She knew he was a mess, knew he made mistakes but she saw something between them that was worth pursuing.

After what seemed like an age, Nick heard the goodbyes of father and daughter and the slam of the heavy apartment door. Finally, he thought. Crawling from under her soft sheets he searched the floor for his discarded underwear and, gathering up the rest of his rumpled clothing, he went to open her bedroom door. He checked the coast was clear (now was not the time for awkward conversations with Schmidt and Winston) and moved towards his own room.

He could hear the sound of the shower running coming from the bathroom. Jess, he thought. He began to imagine her in the shower, her dark hair soaked, streams of water running down her skin … He shook himself. Now was not the time to get into that frame of mind, although he desperately wanted to join her in the shower he conceded that that experience would have to wait.

Turning the handle of his room he slid inside. He deposited his clothes on top of the growing 'laundry pile' that inhabited one corner of his room. He headed to his dresser and removed the last t shirt from it – damn, he'd have to wash something soon. Maybe he could guilt Schmidt into it. He considered taking the items and leaving them on Schmidt's bed. Knowing his aversion for anything dirty, he'd have to wash them. Hmm, maybe later. As he walked over to his window he saw a body lying on the floor on the far side of his bed and let out a high pitched scream.

"I know martial arts!" screamed a visibly shocked Schmidt, sitting swiftly upright and holding out his arms in something vaguely resembling a karate stance. "Damn Nick, are you trying to prematurely age me? This skin is delicate and does not respond well to stressful situations!" Schmidt self-consciously felt the skin of his forehead, checking for lines and wrinkles.

"Seriously dude? What the hell are you doing in my room?" Nick asked as he searched around for a pair of gym shorts and sat on the edge of his unmade bed.

"If you must know I'm hiding out from Elizabeth. And Cecelia."

"Okay," Nick began, "Why are you hiding from them? Why are you hiding from them in my room?"

"Well it all got a little crazy after I last saw you. As predicted, I was the reason Cece did not marry that small Indian," with that Schmidt gave a large, smug self-satisfied smile.

"Right, but I thought you are with Elizabeth now?" Nick asked confused.

"I am, and she is amazing. But after the ceremony she said I had to choose between her and Cece. I panicked. I ran away and spent 2 traumatic hours hiding in the disabled bathroom at the hotel until I was sure the coast was clear."

"I thought I was the one who ran away from my problems, "Nick replied, "But you still haven't explained why you are in my room."

"Well I need to hide from them; to be honest they both scare me a little. I knew the first place they would look would be my boudoir so I decided to hide out in your cess pit of a room for the night to be on the safe side. I had a hunch you wouldn't be using it." With that he gave Nick a sly wink and Nick replied with a wry side smile.

"Okay well as dumb an idea as I think that was I'm glad I could be of some assistance. So what are you going to do? You can't avoid them both forever."

"I can try," replied Schmidt, "I once heard about this guy who became a hermit, worked from home, had everything delivered, didn't leave his apartment for 12 years. I could do that. I'm sure in 12 years this would have blown over."

"That's a dumb idea Schmidt, you are the dumbest boy in the world. You have two fantastic women who both want you in their life. How the hell did that happen? Just make a choice man."

"I say no to that motion. Anyway, enough talk about me. What happened to you two last night? I tried to call you a few times…"

"I, err, was a little busy," Nick began clearing his throat, "I drove Jess home and…"

"Then you gave her a ride on the Miller train?" Schmidt finished.

"Urgh, Schmidt! You have the worst way with words! But yes, we slept together and I gotta tell you it was fantastic. Jess is really something you know? I just need to figure out where this is going."

"You've got it bad Nick. I've not seen you talk this way about a woman since Ca-"

"Don't finish that sentence," Nick interrupted, "The last thing I want is a repeat of that experience. I want this to be different; I need it to be different man. I…Well I'm no good at talking about these things. Let's just see how it goes."

"Cool man," nodded Schmidt holding out his fist to bump fists with Nick who obliged, "Well I have to get up for Booty Burn – there is a new class starting today and I want to be up front and centre."

"I thought you were hiding? I think the first place to look for you after here is the gym!"

"Ah, I have a plan…" Schmidt reached under the sheet and removed a fake moustache and large dark glasses. He quickly put them on and then grabbed Nick's trucker hat from his nightstand. "See?" he asked, "I'm going undercover."

"Yeah, brilliant," Replied Nick, shaking his head at how ridiculous his roommate looked.

About an hour later Nick found himself alone on the sofa with a bottle of Heisler and the remote control. Schmidt had left for his class (wearing the tightest pants Nick had ever seen on a male body) and Jess had decided she needed to check on Cece and make sure her family weren't giving her too hard a time.

Whilst he was deep in concentration watching a documentary about the mating habits of the sea turtle, he was startled to hear the door open. "You back already Jess?" he asked without turning around.

"Dude it's me, finally back from A & E," Nick turned around to see Winston still dressed in his suit from last night, his right shirt sleeve had been severed and his upper arm was swathed in bandages.

"Oh, man I'm sorry, I had no idea it was that bad," Nick grimaced as he took in Winston's injury, when he had chased off after Jess he hadn't really been thinking and now he felt guilty at bailing on his oldest friend.

"Well, let me tell you this," began Winston as he grabbed his own beer from the fridge and settled down on the leather sofa next to Nick, "Apparently badger bites are not that common. I needed 3 opinions, 2 sets of blood work, 1 tetanus injection (in the ass man) and then 3 stiches. I was pissed about the 3 stiches, I was hoping for something a little more manly. Apparently I should be fine, but they said if my arm starts to go numb or I pass out I need to ring an ambulance." With that Winston took a large swig of his beer and focused on the TV.

"Wow. Well I guess it was an eventful evening for all of us." Nick quickly filled in Winston on the details of Schmidt's story.

"I do not get that man," Winston said scornfully, "And how does he attract so many great women? Damn. But I learned my lesson, no more prank Sinatra; especially not with one of the chosen people." He settled further down into the sofa and turned to look at Nick, "So," he began, "What happened with Jess?"

Nick's instant smile was all the response Winston needed. "I'm happy for you man, really. For some reason I really think Jess may be right for you."

"Well I don't want to get ahead of myself. I'm going to be honest; I really want this to work. More than I have anything in a long time. I'm just worried I'm going to mess it up as I do most things…"

"Okay Nick, firstly I've known you were crazy about her forever and I'm surprised it's taken you this long to realise," Nick raised his eyebrows, "Secondly, you may have messed things up in the past, but as I told you last night, there are other moves. You don't have to mess up every relationship you have. And you'd better not mess this up as I do not want to have to get a new roommate." With that he engaged Nick in a sharp eyes stare, Nick gulped down another mouth full of beer and then took a deep breath.

"Well that's a lot of responsibility you're putting on me here Winny, you know I don't do well under pressure."

"Well you better start, time to grow up Miller, start making some grown up moves. And on that note, what is your next move?"

"What? What do you mean?"

"With Jess, what are you going to do next? You already live together so that's a lot of the mystery gone but if you want this to become something you need to start somewhere." Nick realised he was right. He hadn't though much beyond his own elation at having been with Jess and his fears of failure –how to actually progress this was a new thought.

"Well, I guess if it was anyone else, I'd take her on a date. But I tried that already and it was a disaster."

"I think it was a disaster because you failed to actually ask her on the date" Nick cringed at the memory of his embarrassing and cringe worthy attempt to ask Jess out last week.

"You're right, you're right. I guess I've got to do it properly. Be brave. Make an effort."

"Exactly," replied Winston propping up his legs on the living room table, "And now I've fulfilled my friend duties I think I deserve control of the television. What the hell is this you're watching? Turtles again? Give me the remote."

Nick tossed the remote to Winston who quickly flicked through the channels to ESPN. As Winston surveyed the latest sports news, giving a rapid commentary on every story, Nick began to think and plan. Yes, he would ask Jess on a date, a real one. One she would never forget.